Raid on Lloyds Food and Wine yields cash and stolen goods

Lloyds Food and Wine in Roehampton. Picture: Google Streetview

A Roehampton corner shop has had its alcohol licence removed and limits placed on who can work there after more than £35,000 of cash, drugs, weapons and stolen items were seized by police last year.

Police said they executed two warrants at Lloyds Food and Wine on Medfield Street and a linked residential address in December 2020.

During one warrant approximately £35-40,000 of cash was seized from a flat linked to the business. Two males were also arrested at the address.

During the second warrant counterfeit goods, drugs and psychoactive substances were seized from the shop and the owner was arrested for possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, intent to supply psychoactive substances, and possession of counterfeit goods.

Several weapons were also recovered from the address.

After this warrant, police applied for a full closure order. But Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court only granted a limit to the staff who could work there. A review of the premises licence was also triggered.

Wandsworth councillors discussed the license at a sub-committee held on 18 January and decided to remove both the alcohol licence and access to the sale of lottery tickets.

A decision notice published by the council said: “The Licensing Sub-Committee had not heard evidence that the Premises Licence Holder had been directly involved in alleged criminal activity linked to the premises.

“However, in weighing up all the information available and the oral submissions made at the hearing, the Licensing Sub-Committee was persuaded of the seriousness of the criminal allegations before it and that these undermined the prevention of crime and disorder and the promotion of public safety Licensing Objectives.

“The Licensing Sub-Committee concluded that the premises are being used to further crimes.”

The license removal is still subject to appeal in the courts.

Sergeant Tony Day of the Partnership and Prevention Hub said.“These actions have shown that Partnership team working within South West Borough Command Unit (SW BCU) and Wandsworth Council have not only foiled this criminal activity, seized items used in the enterprise but also closed the address to future crime and business activity.

“This should stand as a stark reminder to all that SW BCU will use all tactics available to make the lives of the local community free from the blight of crime and ASB.”

At this point investigations are still ongoing.

Sian Bayley - Local Democracy Reporter

February 17, 2021